Man told friend 'I don't mind dying' before Isis trip

A man accused of travelling to Somalia from the UK to be an Isis martyr allegedly told a friend he did not find "dying a problem", a court has heard.

Mohamed Mohamoud, 22, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of preparing acts of terrorism between 1 October 2024 and 5 March 2025.

Naomi Parsons, prosecuting, told the jury on Wednesday Mohamoud, who is from Somalia, arrived in the UK in 2020 to join his mother and brother living in Bristol.

The court heard in the build-up to him travelling to Somalia in January 2025 Mohamoud regularly messaged a man in the African country and made arrangements to meet up and join the terrorist group together.

Mohamoud denies the charge.

The court previously heard he travelled to the country in January 2025 but after failing to reach the Isis group he returned to the UK on 3 March.

The court heard there was an exchange in messages between Mohamoud and the other man, Abu Ladin, 10 days before he flew to Somalia.

Mohamoud told Ladin: "I did not manage to find someone to guide me yet to help me travel and join the mujahidin. What advice do you have for me? I am leaving and I do not have any plan."

Ladin replied: "There is no route now, there is a war going on. It can take a month or a year, a route will be found only when the situation settles down.

"My advice to you is speak to the mujahidin and do not trust anyone else."

Ladin later messaged: "I swear, it is dangerous. You are my brother and I would advise to you stay there."

The court was told Mohamoud sent another message to Ladin saying: "Today I do not find dying a problem.

"I am not someone who has suffered hardship, I have never even slept hungry one night."

He added he felt he would be "punished" if he pulled out of his plan and added: "Abandoning jihad is a serious matter."

Mohamoud, of Francombe Grove in Bristol, is from the Puntland area of north Somalia.

He denies the charge and the trial continues.